The Lenovo Legion series has carved a niche for itself in the gaming smartphone market, offering powerful specs and dedicated features. But with two contenders – the Y700 and the newer Y70 – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which phone best suits your gaming needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Y70 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, improved charging speed, and generally more modern features. While the Y700 remains a capable device, the Y70 offers a noticeable performance boost for demanding games and a better overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 01 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 10 | Available. Released 2022, August 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 207.1 x 128.1 x 7.9 mm (8.15 x 5.04 x 0.31 in) | 163.6 x 77 x 8 mm (6.44 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 375 g (13.23 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~343 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.8 inches, 224.5 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, 500 nits (typ) | OLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, ZUI 13 | Android 12, ZUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by JBL | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 45 min | 68W wired, 80% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6550 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, Silver, Red |
| Models | TB-9707F | L71091 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 440 EUR |
Lenovo Legion Y700
- More affordable
- Solid gaming performance
- Good display
- Decent battery life
- Slower charging
- Older chipset
- Less future-proof
Lenovo Legion Y70
- Significantly faster performance
- Faster charging (68W)
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Likely improved display
- More expensive
- Potentially similar camera performance to Y700
Display Comparison
Both phones feature high refresh rate displays (likely 144Hz), offering smooth visuals for gaming. The Y70 likely has a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy and brightness due to the newer generation technology, but both should provide an excellent viewing experience. Screen size is likely similar, around 6.6-6.7 inches.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, featuring a main sensor around 50MP, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image processing improvements in the Y70's software could result in slightly better photos, especially in low light, but overall camera performance should be comparable. Video recording capabilities are likely similar as well.
Performance
This is where the Y70 shines. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 870. Expect significantly faster frame rates in demanding games, quicker app loading times, and smoother multitasking on the Y70. The Y700 is still capable, but the Y70 offers a noticeable performance edge.
Battery Life
The Y70 boasts faster 68W charging compared to the Y700's 45W. This translates to significantly quicker top-ups. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 4500-5000mAh), so the Y70's faster charging gives it an advantage in terms of convenience.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo Legion Y700 is a great choice for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful device. It offers solid performance and a good gaming experience. The Lenovo Legion Y70 is ideal for serious mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, faster charging, and the latest technology, and are willing to pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 a big upgrade over the Snapdragon 870?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant performance boost, especially in demanding games and multitasking. Expect noticeably faster frame rates and smoother overall performance.
❓ Which phone has better thermals?
The Lenovo Legion Y70 likely has better thermal management due to the newer chipset and potentially improved cooling solutions. However, both phones are designed for gaming and should handle heat reasonably well.
